Assigns all district offices to prepare to reopen Community Isolation facilities.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, has addressed the COVID-19 pandemic situation and BMA preparations to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 infections.
“The BMA is particularly concerned about the 608 group,” he said, “namely the elderly, pregnant women and patients with seven chronic diseases. Once these people are infected, they are at higher risk of suffering serious illness from COVID-19 relative to other groups.”
“Under current conditions, if children or people who go out to work get infected and spread the virus to the elderly in their households, the hospital bed occupancy rate will surge.”
The BMA announced the following policies to expedite implementation of precautionary measures:
Establishment and reopening of Community Isolation (CI) Centers, especially in slum areas: Asst. Prof. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, is assigned to supervise preparations by district offices. Previously, school areas were used as CI centres but now that all schools have been opened for the first semester, the BMA must find new places.
Medication preparations: The BMA closely coordinates with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to prepare for developments in advance. Molnupiravir, an oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 patients, has not yet been registered by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As such, the BMA cannot purchase the drug directly and must coordinate with the MoPH to obtain supplies. Once molnupiravir is approved and registered by the FDA, the BMA can purchase it directly.
Preparation of equipment and tools: The BMA closely coordinates with the National Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration and ensures the readiness of the Erawan Center.
Encouraging the 608 group to get booster doses: At least 50% of the 608 group in Bangkok have already had at least one booster shot which is higher than the national level. The vaccines not only reduce the chance of infection but also greatly reduce the chance of severe illness from COVID-19.
“Last but not least,” the Governor said, “Wearing sanitary face masks both inside and outside can also go a long way to helping minimizing the risk of spreading infection.”
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